The 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association Senior Men’s home and away season finished with International on top of the table as expected, but only just.

With Gambier Centrals finishing the season with a flourish, Inter had to return home from its road trip to Naracoorte with victory to stay at the top of the ladder and the home team made the task as difficult as possible.

Despite Naracoorte’s finals fate being sealed, the side was determined to give the black and blue a lasting memory in the final round and came out hard early.

The hosts maximised their home-pitch advantage and capitalised on International’s injury issues to make a dramatic upset a real possibility.

After numerous counter-attacks on the visitor’s defence, Naracoorte broke the game open with a goal just two minutes after kick off.

Eventually the fancied Inter was able to settle itself and started to create opportunities of its own.

Many went begging, but a well-executed free kick from Caleb Casey put the ladder leaders on the board after 18 minutes of play.

The remainder of the first half was a tight tussle with both teams having their moments, but to the delight of the home crowd Naracoorte surged ahead.

After Murtaza Jafary and George Matutuva scored, the hosts entered the main break on a high 2-1 up.

International coach Vlada Gajic said while injuries and opportunities did not go his side’s way, he had to pay credit to Naracoorte’s effort.

“It is always tough to go up there and play and Naracoorte really brought it on,” he said.

“We did have a few players missing like Sam (Bueti) Nick (Morony) and Daniel (Young) and did not want to risk them, but still thought the squad was good enough to do the job.

“We created chances, but their goalkeeper Brad Pilven pulled off some spectacular saves and we couldn’t finish things in the final third.

“To Naracoorte’s credit they played well, moved the ball around and used the width of the pitch to their advantage because it is very wide and they moved us around.”

Despite the grand start, the hosts were not able to continue their charge deep into the second half as International’s experience came to the fore.

By the 57-minute mark Inter was on the hustle and Matthew Bueti was ready and waiting to score the equaliser.

Ten minutes later Bueti was at it again, this time laying the foundations for Matt Ferguson to snatch the lead from a tricky spot.

Having overturned a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 lead International ran the game out and came close to extending its advantage.

However, none of them were finished, but it did not dampen the hard-fought win and Gajic said it was pulled off with a big second half.

“I was not really worried (at half time) and confident we would still win,” he said.

“In the second half we brought on Lachie Charlton and he solidified the defence with Ricky (McRobert) in centre back.

“We were a bit light on the bench, but the boys stuck to their guns and Naracoorte began to tire.

“We just had a dominant display in the second half and played really well.

“It was a good test because its better than going through the motions and getting carried away, so we will need these tests going forward.”

The result also sealed a third-successive minor premiership for International, which is notable, especially after the side was forced to come from behind and jump Gambier Centrals in the final couple of weeks.

Gajic said he was proud to score another piece of silverware, but said it was just one more step to the major prizes.

“Last year we were minor premiers, but the weather turned on us in finals and we were not able to continue the good form,” he said.

“So for us we won the preseason cup which was tick number one and the minor premiership is tick number two.

“It is nice because it still means something and shows we are the best team in the league, but the real one we want, that everyone wants to win is the grand final.”

International’s big rival Gambier Centrals gave the ladder lead one last crack with a crushing display at Malseed Park.

The Lions were unstoppable and waltzed to a 10-1 win over Blue Lake.

Sam Shoemark and Cam Saint were particularly potent, combining beautifully to score seven goals between them.

It was also raining goals at Webb Street where Millicent struggled to land a blow against Apollo.

The home team was in fine form with goal scorers coming from all points including one where it transitioned from one end of the pitch to the other in the blink of an eye.

Say Wah and Jack Donehue had the most fun scoring a hat-trick each, while Si Pler Htoo, Tobbei Kennett, Robert Nagy and Reuben van Eyk joined in to complete the 11-0 win.